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Sunday, August 25, 2013

I recently had the opportunity to trial and review the Veet EasyWax Electrical Roll-On Kit for legs and arms, a device which I was keen to purchase when it was first released. For years I've been trying out several hair removal products such as shaving, tweezing, depilatory creams, waxing and seeing which works best for me. Shaving is great but doesn't give lasting results, tweezing is effective but is very time-consuming, painful process, depilatory creams aren't bad but smell too strong and waxing gives lasting results but can get pretty messy. So which is right for me, or for you?

The Veet EasyWax Electrical Roll-On Kit isn't like any other waxing product from their range. Firstly, it's not messy at all as the device ensures clean and even application for total coverage - very easy waxing!

Secondly, instead of those cold wax strips (which never work for me) this is a self-heating wax system with a roll-on applicator for salon wax results at home. I have had waxing done at a salon before and the results were amazing because they used hot wax. I know that there are also the microwavable hard waxes but the wax doesn't stay the same temperature and I'd hate to have to keep running back to the microwave between waxing.

A self-heating device and cap

50 mL roll-on wax refill, specially designed for use on legs & arms

12 non-woven strips

4 post depilatory wipes

A base to hold the device

An electrical device

An instruction leaflet

This is the inside of the self-heating device

The wax refill cartridge goes in like so...

Now to plug it in!

Once the red light is on, that's when you know it's heating up. It'll stay on while being plugged in

The device needs to be left plugged in and sitting on its base for 30-40 minutes before you start using it. The wax will become hot enough to roll out smoothly and once it reaches its maximum temperature, it will remain that temperature while still being plugged in. It's the perfect temperature and isn't hot enough to burn you.

I tested it out on my arms where I have quite a number of small, thin baby hairs. I don't wax or shave my arms because to me the hairs aren't too visible and also it's winter here so I'm mainly wearing long sleeves. But for test purposes, I decided to give it a shot and see what happens.

This is the pink wax rolled onto my arm.

It was starting to get dry as I was fumbling around to get my camera and snap a pic!

Make sure you roll it in the direction of hair growth, place the non-woven strip over it and pull in the opposite direction.

Right after waxing. The redness fades away, not to worry

If you're curious to see exactly how much hair was removed, I'll provide a link to the picture here. It worked really well. Please don't click it if you don't want to see a used wax strip... viewer discretion is advised. You've been warned so don't say ew!

Thoughts post-waxing:

Of course after waxing I'm like 'ow!' haha. I was really happy with how well it worked on my arms. They're so smooth now and I'm confident that the Veet EasyWax Electrical Roll-On Kit gives long lasting hair removal, much better than shaving at least. Also, this is by far the least messy home waxing I've tried! The warm wax adheres to the hairs and strips extremely well and hence there is hardly any wax residue, as seen in the image above where I hadn't used my wipes yet.

I did also try the wax on my legs but since my leg hairs aren't as thin like baby hairs on my arms (unfortunately due to shaving), the results weren't the same. However a substantial hair was removed, just not as effectively because a thin layer of warm wax probably wasn't 'strong' enough to lift all of the thick hairs.

Pros (+) and cons (-):

+ Convenient and easy to use

+ Practical, sturdy design

+ Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive

+ Includes everything needed for waxing, no need to purchase anything else

+ Light indicator to show that it is heating

+ Keeps wax at the right temperature

+ Ensures clean and even application

+ Removes hair even as short as 2 mm

+ Skin is left feeling moisturised and remains impeccably smooth for up to 4 weeks

+ Decent price

- Needs 30-40 minutes to heat up - quite time-consuming

- Not as effective on thick hairs, therefore not entirely the same as salon waxing

It would be lovely if there were more wax strips and post-depilatory wipes included but I can see why there wouldn't be that many - Veet does sell these products separately.

Recommend/repurchase?

Yes, I recommend this to those who want to have salon waxing results at home. I reckon it's a great investment and definitely worth trying if you're interested. I definitely prefer this over those wax strips that you rub in between your palms. Before having this product, I had thought about buying a wax heater for hard wax but then I realised how costly that is and how much space it would take up! This self-heating device can easily fit in your drawers like any other depilatory device (it reminds me of a shaver or an epilator) and requires no cleaning thanks to the removable, disposable cartridges that can easily be replaced! It's also suitable to take with you on a vacation etc. - heated wax on the go!

I'll surely be purchasing new wax strips and the refill when I run out as I know that I'll be making good use of this product. There's also the cartridge for underarm/bikini line wax refill specifically designed for smaller areas (the head is smaller but still fits in this device).

☆☆☆☆/5

I hope my review for this hair removal device was interesting; thanks for reading. If you never have to worry about shaving/tweezing/waxing/epilating, you're lucky! I wish I only had hair on my head and eyebrows lol (don't we all).

Questjen of the week:

What are your thoughts on waxing?

Is it something you always get done? Or hate? Or haven't tried before?

Waxing is usually a very quick, effective process and isn't too painful (but that depends on which area is waxed :P) and gives amazing results when done correctly. I love having silky-smooth hair-free skin for weeks - it's what makes waxing so worth it. As they say, no pain no gain hehe. It's affordable and not too bad for my wallet. I've tried threading only on my brows and I must say that that is even more painful!

I have thought about investing in an epilator too and I reckon I will. Has anyone purchased an epilator before? Which do you recommend?

I also want to try IPL/laser/permanent hair removal but there's no way that I can afford that now :( One day!

❤Jen xx

Disclaimer: Product was provided for review purchases. This is not a sponsored post, nor is any monetary compensation received for this post. I am not affiliated with Veet and no affiliate links are provided. All opinions stated are my own and are 100% honest.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Hey guys! I'm pretty excited about writing this blog post because it's about my recent Maybelline haul and I haven't written a makeup haul post in SUCH a long time!! I normally only purchase a couple of makeup products in a shopping trip which I don't deem worthy to be part of a "haul"... though I guess for a collective haul it'd be ok (I don't really like doing those but yeah).

All you beauty lovers around Aus, I'm sure by now you're well aware of the 50% off Maybelline's entire range at Priceline :D If not then get over there nowwwww, this sale is too good to miss!

The sale started on Thursday and will be on right until Monday the 26th of August so you've got about a week to shop it up. I went to Priceline on the first day of the sale at around 11 am (shops open at 9 am) and there was already a noticeable amount of lippies gone (I tweeted a pic) at the store I went to but that was ok because I still ended up picking everything I wanted :)

The shopping bag with the promo flyer and the 5 items I picked out

Firstly I was only going to buy two products and not bother getting anything else. At 11 am I went on my own and bought makeup remover and lip balm ($5.45 total) however I met up with a friend later on and told her about the Maybelline sale. She wasn't aware of it and was quite eager to make a trip to Maybelline (who wouldn't be hehe) so that was where we went and I ended up buying two more products! After that I decided to visit the Priceline Pharmacy near my bus stop (how convenient lol) and picked up another product xD Which totals to 3 separate trips to Priceline in one day!! I've never done that before, and I regret nothing.

Total spent = $30.35

It's not the biggest haul but I'm happy that I didn't over-splurge. I have my reasons for purchasing each product and I'll list them below each product:

Maybelline Baby Lips Loves Color (SPF 16) - Pink Lolita

RRP $3.95 AUD, now $1.97

I couldn't give this one a miss. When I found out about the sale, this was the first item I had in mind and not surprisingly, the first product I picked up at Priceline on Thursday. I have a few of the Baby Lips balms already and I absolutely love them. I prefer the ones that leave a tint because that way I don't need to apply a lip colour on top, which is why I've picked up this Baby Lips in Pink Lolita. I haven't used this shade before, however I know from reading reviews that it leaves a lovely pink tint to the lips. I'll definitely continue stocking up on Baby Lips ^^ For just under $2, it's a bargain!

Maybelline City Rescue Total Clean Express Makeup Remover, Eye & Lip

RRP $6.95 AUD, now $3.47

The second product that I picked up without hesitation. It's really cheap for a product that I'd use pretty much everyday. This is actually my second bottle and only a few days ago I finished my first bottle of this makeup remover (psst, I'll be including it in my August empties blog post coming soon!) thus this sale came at a very good time for me, hehe. Don't you just love it when you catch a sale at the right time? Better than purchasing something full price and then seeing that it's on sale the next day/week! When I finished my previous bottle, I was wishing that I had stocked up so from now on I reckon I will stock up on this makeup remover. You might be wondering, 'what's so good about it?'

... It has a bi-phase formula! Can you see the two layers with the line in the middle?

A bi-phase or a dual-phase makeup remover works more powerfully than a regular makeup remover as it can melt away stubborn, long-lasting and waterproof eye and lip makeup. The bottle must be shaken to mix the oil and water, and the combination of both makes makeup removing a breeze more than a chore by requiring less scrubbing than usual. I swear by bi-phase makeup removers and would never go back to ones with single-phase formulas. Effective and gentle without leaving any oily, greasy residue. Worth trying if you haven't already!

The priciest purchase out of all 5 products and the one that I thought hardest about getting or not getting. It was difficult to make up my mind but my friend pressured advised me to give it a go to see whether I'd like it or not. And why not when it's 50% off. I've always been a fan of Maybelline's mascaras and I find that their new releases have been consistently praised or raved. I have the The Falsies mascara which is one of my favourites and I look forward to seeing how this compares to that. Basically my reason for picking this up was because I was curious. A want more than a need!

The aspects of this mascara that I find the most intriguing are the big fluffy-looking flexor-brush wand and the 'revolutionary gel-mousse formula' that gives 'no brittle feel'. I haven't read any reviews of this mascara yet which I suppose is a good thing as I currently have no expectations or any thoughts prior to trialing. It's best to be as unbiased and as clueless, so to speak, as possible.

Should I review this mascara or are there already plenty of reviews out there? Or have many of you tried this already? Let me know if you'd like to see a review for this.

Maybelline Color Sensational Color Whisper - 45 and 95

RRP $14.95 AUD, now $7.47

I finally got hold of some lippies from Maybelline's new line - the Color Whispers! I adore the slim packaging in comparison to their Color Sensational lippies (which are also really lovely but I find these to be a tad prettier). I originally picked up one and ended up getting another just for the sake of it. And it's pretty much the same thing as a buy one get one free sale anyway!

45 Who Wore It Red-er

Wow! When I swatched it in store I was extremely impressed. This shade is super pigmented and creamy. I'd say that this one is the most vibrant and dark out of all the shades available in Australia. It's not usually a shade that I would pick (I'm more of a neutrals/pink girl) but it was too gorgeous to resist! It's about time that I started experimenting with lipstick shades out of my usual, comfort zone.

It's not an exact match of its packaging colour but it's close enough

It's a deep pink and has great staying power. Even after I wiped it off with a tissue, it left a faint stain of pink. Oh and I love how it's a creamy, glossy formula with no shimmer. I have a tonne of shimmery lipsticks and to now have a new, very pigmented, creamy, non-shimmery lipstick is a very refreshing addition to my collection.

95 Mad For Magenta

This one on the other hand is shimmery and much more translucent and sheer. Don't get me wrong, I love both pigmented and shimmery lipsticks but I tend to gravitate more towards the shimmery ones simply because I'm attracted to all things sparkly and glittery. I tend to pick lipsticks only based on their shade, texture and scent. I'll love a shimmery and a pigmented lipstick the same unless one is shimmery or pigmented to the extreme (moderation is key).

As for this lipstick, I'm glad that it is shimmery and sheer because as a magenta-shaded lipstick, it has a tinge of purple in it and I don't want the purple to come through too strongly... do you know what I mean? Sheer lipsticks allow for buildable colour and I want to be able to 'build' this shade to my liking. 1-2 swipes on my lips is enough for me :) It gives quite a natural finish.

Not the clearest picture, sorry! I blame the overcast weather for the low-quality pictures

I also want to add in that I really like the smell of these! It smells like vanilla - one of my favourite, non-overpowering scents. I am SO glad that I decided to pick up these lipsticks from the Color Whisper range because I can definitely see/feel the quality in them and now I can understand why they're highly raved about online. I have my friend to thank for my second and third Priceline trips where I was able to get a hold of these! Money well spent in my opinion - I love them a lot.

That's all to my Maybelline NY haul from Priceline - I know it's not a lot but I'm happy to have spent just over $30 and to have chosen these specific products. I can't officially say that I'm pleased with everything as I am yet to try the Mega Plush mascara! Hopefully I won't be having any regrets.

I would love to hear which Maybelline goodies you haul from Priceline! Please do let me know what you get and if there's anything you'd recommend (who knows, I may end up in Priceline again next week xD).

Questjen of the week (an easy one):

Are you a fan of Maybelline cosmetics?

I surely am and if you are too, high five!!

❤ Jen xx

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All products mentioned were purchased with my own money. I am not affiliated with Maybelline. No monetary compensation is provided for this post. All opinions stated are my own and are 100% honest.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Hello, I have a review of the Rosehip PLUS Rosehip Oil where I'll be sharing the claimed benefits of this product and my thoughts on each. Rosehip PLUS has created a roll-on and dropper bottle version and I've got the two versions here with me:

Left: Roll-on, 15mL; Right: Dropper bottle, 50mL

If you're wondering what rosehip oil is, it's a pressed seed oil extracted from the seeds of the rose bush, Rosa Canina and it is naturally packed with nutrients, hence its beneficial use. These nutrients are able to provide moisture, protection and strength for the skin. Rosehip oil is rich in naturally occurring vitamins, antioxidants (helping to reduce fine lines and wrinkles by reducing free radical damage) and essential fatty acids including Omega 3, 6 and 9.

Will using Rosehip Oil benefit you? Let's find out and see:

Although the actual product is exactly the same, for this review I'd like to focus mainly on the roll-on version. The exciting thing about it is that it's a 'world first in beauty' - the Rosehip PLUS Skin Boost Roll-On is the first Australian Certified Organic Cold Pressed Rosehip Oil Roll-On that delivers precise application of the purest Rosehip Oil to fine lines and wrinkles, even while you are on the run!

RRP $14.95 AUD

Firstly let's talk about the packaging. The 15mL tube is perfect for the handbag and for travel. The massage rollerball applicator allows you to target specific areas to apply rosehip oil such as the delicate eye area and lip area, on small dry patches and even on scars, without a messy application.

When I first tried using the rollerball, it appeared to be stuck. This was due to the accumulation of the oil at the top which had dried up over time and as a result, made the rollerball unmovable. If this happens to your tube, all you need to do is roll it against a hard surface to get the ball moving. It also helps to try and squeeze out some of the oil which would hopefully seep out from the sides of the ball. This will help give the ball some lubrication for it to start rolling again. Easy fix :)

Directions for use:

Hold the applicator between your fingers, carefully placing the rollerball on the area of concern

Gently move the applicator so that the rollerball leaves a fune later of Rosehip Oil on the skin

If applying to a scar, make sure that the wound is healed. Never apply to broken skin

The Rosehip PLUS Rosehip Oil is rich in colour and it goes on with an orange-reddish hue. But not to worry as it rubs in clear and the oil is fully absorbed into the skin!

Also, the rollerball gives such a nice cooling, soothing sensation. It makes application that much more enjoyable haha!

What the Rosehip PLUS Rosehip Oil claims to help with:

✓ Reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars✓ Maintain skin hydration and softness✓ Improve the appearance of dry and sensitive skin✓ Minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles✓ Promote skin elasticity and texture✓ Repair sun damaged skin✓ Reduce the appearance of skin pigmentation✓ Repair skin tissue as a result of burns

If any of the above are a concern for you, you can benefit from this product. Rosehip oil is suitable for all skin types and not to worry if you have sensitive skin like me because Rosehip oil has been commonly used in skincare products for a variety of skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, sun damage and dry skin, as well as brittle nails.

The scent and textureI like the scent! It's not perfume-y or artificial and that's something that I take into account when I use/purchase skincare products as I have a strong preference for fragrance-free or light fragrance. I can't describe the scent of Rosehip Oil but it reminds me of a very weak coffee bean scent mixed with nuts and a bit of caramel. I don't know about you but that kind of makes me go 'mmm!'. To me it's pleasant and I have no problems with it at all. The scent's powerfulness is nothing compared to Bio-Oil and to be honest I'm not a big fan of that scent.Of course, it feels like oil... just not the same thickness or slippery-ness as something like... cooking oil, thank goodness! It's the perfect oily texture for me. I can imaging people who have combination/oily skin being a bit put off using an oil-based product on their skin/face, and fair enough if that's the case. I have such dry skin that I sometimes cringe at the thought of putting powder on my face (hello to enhancing my dry, flaky skin!) - I definitely prefer the dewy look over the matte finish. Anyway as I was saying, my skin loves the oily texture and it absorbs it so well.

Ooh I've never seen a Facebook logo on a product before. I am intrigued :}

How the Rosehip PLUS Rosehip Oil has benefited me:

Instead of writing a slab of words to describe my experience with this Rosehip oil, I'll break it down into short dot points:

Driest area on my face = T-zone. Rolled a bit of the Rosehip oil on that area

Before = flakiness was seen. After = flakiness was gone. A MIRACLE

Also applied it onto my cheeks and they stayed moisturised without looking oily

I felt as though I had 'normal' skin. No dryness or irritations from using the product

Skin felt smooth and supple after use

Moisturised my skin better than cream moisturisers and it didn't break me out

It says that the effects are seen within 3-4 weeks however the effects that it had on my dryness were seen within several minutes. The 3-4 weeks would be for scarring and wrinkle/fine line appearance reduction as I can imagine those taking a fair bit of time to become minimised.

Everything's positive about this review of the Rosehip oil. I love it and I'm glad that I had the chance to try it out. I haven't tested it on any scars or sun damaged skin so I can't say how it works for those skin conditions. But if they claim to help in those ways and have many additional benefits, this product is definitely worth a try and worth the $14.95 AUD which in my opinion is a very decent price.

The oil is not a once-off use where all the effects are seen immediately and once they are seen you won't need to apply any more. Nope, it's not like that at all - it is suggested that the oil is used daily to maintain the benefits and to be helpful in the long run.

If 15mL isn't enough or if you don't want to run out too quickly, how about purchasing the 30 or 50mL dropper bottle?

Same thing, just without the rollerball tube

You get more out of one drop than a swipe of the rollerball

Left: One drop from the dropper bottle; Right: One swipe from the rollerball

You get more value if you choose the dropper bottle version (30mL its RRP is $19.95 AUD and for 50mL its RRP is $29.95 AUD) though I reckon having both versions is even better. The tube one is good to take around with you and the dropper bottle is more hygienic (can share with family members or even friends if you wish!).

Would I recommend/repurchase?

Yes, definitely. Need I say more? I'd say that it would benefit you no matter what you skin concern is. Even if your skin is normal and flawless, use it anyway because it could probably help you maintain your flawless skin! I'm only kidding about that last part ('maintaining flawless skin' isn't listed as a benefit) but yes, it will certainly be a favourite of mine for a longggg time due to the benefits. The only negative aspect to point out is the oil being orange as colourless would be better but hey, if it rubs in and dries clear then that's all good for me!

***

I hope this review was informative and if you haven't heard of or tried Rosehip oil before, I hope you found it interesting. The product is available in leading Pharmacies and Health Food stores and also on their website Rosehip PLUS.

The title of this post could be my questjen for this week but I've already answered it for all of you :P I am sure that it will benefit you in some way at least, even if you dislike the scent or texture because that's beside the point hehe.

Questjen of the week (which hardly gets answered these days *sad*):

Are you intrigued about using Rosehip oil?

You know I am, but are you?

Again if kindly requested, I can send a little sample to you if you'd like to try before you buy.

❤ Jen

Disclaimer: Product was provided for review purposes. This is not a sponsored post and I am not affiliated with the company mentioned.

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Hello! I received some products from ELES Mineral Makeup to create my version of their Winter Seasonal Look 'A touch of blush'. It is suitable for both day and night and with my tutorial video, I share how easy it is to go from a daytime to evening look with the help of eyeliner. But either one can be worn anytime of the day!

It's August which means it's the last month of winter over here (summer in most parts of the world)!

This is my completed look next to the look provided by ELES:

As you can see, I was not trying to do a replication! Just my own spin on it :)

This look is soft and ethereal combining flawless skin, contoured and understated eyes and a radiant blush of the lips and cheeks

Here are the 6 key products to use to achieve this look:

Still in their shrink wrapping

I've seen a number of bloggers create this look and to be a little 'different' I suppose, I decided to add in another ELES product that I already have and reviewed. Do you remember it?

Now I'll share a photo of the Liquiliner joining the other products :)

Happy ELES family ♥

ELES cosmetics tend to be up in the high-end price range and this is definitely noticeable not only in the quality of their products but also with their sleek packing

I did a video tutorial (more like a how-I-apply-my-makeup-with-these-products video) and I thought about doing a voice-over but unfortunately I didn't get around to doing it. Hope you'll still enjoy watching it if you choose to do so:

Thursday, August 1, 2013

The title of this post is self-explanatory (as with most of my blog post titles...) but instead of just showing pictures of the books that I bought, I decided to do an 'unboxing of my parcel' video... as I was in the mood to do a speaking video after filming a video of myself silently applying makeup. That video will be up on my next blog post coming soon :)

In the video, I don't particularly share anything helpful about the books, or anything at all. My main reason for purchasing them was because they were only one dollar each and there was free shipping, which I forgot to mention in the video!! Being awkward on camera and in general will always stick with me and I can't say that I am proud. Though I do find it a bit intriguing seeing how speak etc. when I am being recorded. Despite being awkward, I think that I'm actually more confident on camera than in person, HA. Aren't people normally camera shy? I feel as though I am sort of the opposite. I'm weird, I know.

Gosh, my grammar and sentence variation is appalling! I must brush up on it or write a script next time xD This is how I am when I talk casually without thinking much :/ Thankfully my blog posts are not as bad haha. Enjoy!

Turn on the captions if it's hard to hear my clearly (you may need to turn the volume up too!)

At first I was hesitant about sharing this haul video but Sue and Chloe tweeted me letting me know that they were interested in seeing it. It's thanks to them that I had the courage to edit and upload it! Apologies for the choppiness and background/loud noises. And also for the fact that it's not in HD. Yes I know, I need to get with the times or get a new camera!!

I bought 11 but I'm missing one from the haul because I gave it to my mum to read!

I went ahead and bought 11 books for $11, with free shipping. Some of them are sold out already and for those I can't provide a direct link but I will for the ones that I purchased and are still available ^^

Going in the same order that I showed in my video. The ones crossed out are sold out at this current time:

EDIT: Umm I just realised that the books are no longer $1 each!! I think the promo ended at the end of July, sorry!

I've finished reading the 'Exam Stress? No Worries!' book and I found it to be a great read. It was written by a psychologist and she explained why people experience anxiety before an exam and why others don't. This was really interesting and it made me think about my circumstances/upbringing and how they affect the way I tackle exams. It includes a lot of useful tips and advice e.g. relaxation techniques and some activities to complete. The student case studies in the book made me realise that exam anxiety levels can vary from person to person and after reading the book I now feel less anxious and worried about my exams than before. I would recommend this to all people who have exams and feel anxious about them.

You are free to request a review from me for a specific book however I cannot guarantee that I will write the review or have one done anytime soon. I can keep it in mind though :) Or say a few words about it like what I have done above.

No questjen of the week in this post but there'll be one in my next post. Plus I still have the one from last week's post [here] where I reviewed a pimple cream.

I would love to hear your feedback on what you think of my videos and whether I should do more, or no more ahaha.